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Pre-Race Report
Event 08: Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties
Heartland Motorsports Park
Topeka, Kan.
May 18-20
Event 08: Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties
Heartland Motorsports Park
Topeka, Kan.
May 18-20
Topeka Highlights: Two wins (2016, 2006); Three finals (2004, 2003, 2000); One no. 1 qualifiers (2005)
Last Event Recap (NHRA Southern Nationals): Qualified sixth; Quarterfinalist (Defeated Richie Crampton in the first round, lost to Steve Torrence in the quarterfinals)
2017 NHRA Menards Heartland Nationals Recap: Qualified seventh; Quarterfinalist (Defeated Scott Palmer in the first round, lost to Leah Pritchett in the quarterfinals)
Quotable: “Heartland Motorsports Park is great facility that has been kind to Kalitta Motorsports over the years. I am excited to get back behind the wheel of the Mac Tools car. I feel confident that we will have a car that can compete for the win.”
Career Stats: 465 starts; 633 round wins (ninth all-time); 44 wins (Fifth all-time in Top Fuel); 93 finals; 49 no.1 qualifiers (tied 14th all-time)
2018 Season: One Win (Pomona-I); Two finals (Pomona I, Charlotte I); 10 round wins; third in the standings
2017 Season Recap: One win (Charlotte-II); Four finals (Pomona-I, Norwalk, Charlotte-II, St. Louis); Two no.1 qualifiers (Norwalk, Charlotte-II); 34 round wins; third in the standings
Noteworthy: Next no.1 qualifier is 50th of his career; Team Kalitta owns 11 Top Fuel wins at Heartland Park Topeka (Scott Kalitta - 6, David Grubnic - 2, Doug Kalitta - 2, Hillary Will - 1)
Topeka Highlights: One win (2015)
Last Event Recap (NHRA Southern Nationals): Qualified 11th; First round loss (Lost to Doug Kalitta in the first round)
2017 NHRA Menards Heartland Nationals Recap: Did not compete
Quotable: “Topeka has been good to me and Team Kalitta. I am really searching for some valuable round wins, and I feel that this week is as good of a time as any to get back to our winning ways.”
Career Stats: 85 starts; 80 round wins; Eight wins; 10 finals; Five no.1 qualifiers
2018 Season: One win (Gainesville); Five round wins; ninth in the standings
2017 Season Stats: Seven starts; One final (Charlotte-II); Five round wins
Topeka Highlights: One win (2013); One final (2014); One no. 1 qualifier (2013)
Last Event Recap (NHRA Southern Nationals): Qualified ninth; First round loss (Lost to Tim Wilkerson in the first round)
2017 NHRA Menards Heartland Nationals (Top Fuel) Recap: Qualified sixth; Quarterfinalist (Defeated Troy Coughlin Jr. in the first round, lost to Antron Brown in the quarterfinals)
Quotable: “It is always great to go back to Topeka; the track can be fast in the right conditions, but it looks like it is going to be hot this weekend so it could be tricky with the changes on how the track is being prepped. We feel like we made some good progress with the Global Electronic Technology Toyota Camry in qualifying in Atlanta. We had some changes this week, but I am confident in my team and we are going to go out and do the best job we can.”
Career Stats: 212 starts; 251 round wins; 14 wins; 30 finals; 18 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: Seven starts; Four round wins)
2018 Season: Seven starts; Four round wins; ninth in the standings
2017 Season Stats: 20 starts; Two finals (Dallas, Pomona II); 17 round wins; seventh in the point standings
Noteworthy: With a win this weekend, Langdon would become the first driver in Heartland Motorsports Park history with wins in both Top Fuel and Funny Car
Topeka Highlights: One final (2007)
Last Event Recap (NHRA Southern Nationals): Qualified seventh; First round loss (Lost to Jack Beckman in the first round)
2017 NHRA Menards Heartland Nationals Recap: Qualified ninth; Quarterfinalist (Defeated Brian Stewart in the first round, lost to Matt Hagan in the quarterfinals)
Quotable: “I am looking forward to getting back on track with the DHL Toyota Camry. I think the track will be the equalizer this weekend with the hot temperatures and I think our team is up to the challenge.”
Career Stats: 179 starts; 176 round wins; 13 wins; 23 finals; 9 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 31 starts; Four wins (2017: Sonoma, Indianapolis, 2018: Las Vegas-I, Houston); Five finals (2017: Charlotte-I, Sonoma, Indianapolis, 2018: Las Vegas-I, Houston); 27 round wins)
2018 Season: Two wins (Las Vegas-I, Houston); Nine round wins; fifth in the point standings
2017 Season Stats: 24 starts; Two wins (Sonoma, Indianapolis); Three finals (Charlotte-I, Sonoma, Indianapolis); 18 round wins; ninth in the point standings
